The clinical nurse specialist as an external consultant: a framework for practice

In today's changing health-care system and periods of acute shortages for bedside nurses, the role of the clinical nurse specialist (CNS) is often reevaluated. Budgetary constraints, position cuts, limited resources in small rural areas, and acute shortages have forced many hospitals to do without the expertise of a CNS. This paper proposes that a possible method of meeting identified needs in these situations is through the CNS as an external consultant. A framework is discussed to incorporate the consultant position with the CNS roles. CNS expertise can be made available to underserved facilities without placing extenuating demands on the resources and economic structure that exist.